BIOGRAPHY: Fuller, Levi
From the A.T. Andreas Illustrated Historical Atlas of the State of Iowa, 1875

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Honorable LEVI FULLER. – Mr. Fuller is a representative man of Fayette County, and 
in fact, of the State of Iowa.  He was born in Tioga County, Pennsylvania, August 14, 1824. 
He did not have the advantages of a collegiate education, consequently the success 
he has attained in social and political circles and affairs demonstrates what can be 
accomplished by energy and industry, and characterizes him a self made man.  The 
subject of this sketch spent his early ears working with his father, cutting wood, splitting 
rails, and clearing land.  This was when Tioga County, and a great part of the present 
State of Pennsylvania, was in its infancy as regards wealth, and the development of its 
great resources.
When about eighteen years of age he made up his mind that he was able to 
make his way in the world at labor not so difficult as farming, and commenced and read 
medicine with Dr. Barlow of New Castle, Penn.
In 1845 he was united in marriage to Miss J. E. Tipton of Howard Center County, 
Pennsylvania, and moved to Stephenson County, Illinois, where he successfully practiced 
his profession for several years.  After moving and residing in Wisconsin about one year, 
he came to West Union, Fayette County, Iowa, in April, 1853, where he has since resided.  
Here he practiced his profession for a time, but being of a financial turn of mind, he gave 
his attention to business of various kinds which opened up at that favorable period in the 
history of Iowa, and the result is that he has acquired a comfortable compentence.  He 
has been closely identified with the history of West Union, and Fayette County.  Being 
public spirited and benevolent, he has given of his means, to all public and charitable 
purposes, several thousand dollars.  He has also laid out three additions to the town of 
west Union. 
He was the Representative from this county in the Legislature in the year 1862.  It 
was during the early history of the war of the Rebellion, and when the governors of our 
states summoned to their councils their best men to assist in organizing regiments then 
being raised and fitted out for the front.  While a member of the ninth General Assembly, 
he materially aided Governor Kirkwood, and was strongly urged to accept a 
commission.  He was commissioned as surgeon of the 36th Iowa, but before he had 
decided definitely on its acceptance, the position of Internal Revenue Collector for the 
Third District of Iowa was offered him, which he accepted.  The district consisted of 
twelve counties.  The office was, of course, new and without precedent, and an intricate 
and unpopular law.  He organized the workings of the Internal Revenue Department in 
his district, and held the position for three years, filling it to the entire satisfaction of the 
Government.  He resigned, and gave his attention actively to private business.  For the 
term of two years in company with his son, William e. Fuller, he owned and conducted 
the West Union Bank, which has since merged into the Fayette County National Bank.
During the year of 1874, he was appointed by Governor Carpenter one of the 
commissioners to distribute the sum of $50,000, appropriated by the State Legislature to 
relieve the grasshopper sufferers of northwestern Iowa.  He has held various minor civil 
offices.
It is due Mr. Fuller to say that what he undertakes he does thoroughly – nothing 
can be half done with or by him.  In politics he was originally a Whit, and on the decline 
of that party became a Republican, with which party he has since acted.  He is 
thoroughly independent to his criticism of all political parties, and if his party adopts 
measures which he believes not to be for the best interests of the country, his party 
allegiance does not interfere with his emphatic expression of his views concerning their 
injustice.  He is not a partisan in the usual acceptance of the term.  Dr. Fuller's family 
consisted of three children – one son and two daughters; the latter died at an early age.  
His son and only surviving child, William E. Fuller, resides at West Union, and is engaged in 
the practice of law; is married, and has a family of three children.
We can not close this sketch better than by saying that Dr. Fuller we have an 
example of what can be accomplished by having a purpose in view, urged on by 
perseverance and guarded by honesty, and not permitting individual advancement to 
interfere with a proper and honorable treatment of society, of the world, mankind, and 
himself.